Az Big Media will be profiling one of the Most Influential Women in Arizona for 2025 each day leading up to the celebratory dinner on August 21, 2025. Today, meet Nancy Padberg, president and CEO of Catholic Education Arizona.
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Nancy Padberg, Catholic Education Arizona
Background: Padberg built her career in media, marketing and education industries in Santa Monica and San Francisco. She earned her MBA at Pepperdine University, Graziadio School of Business, served as vice president of The Phelps Group marketing firm and led the education division at Hearst media.
Source of pride: “Becoming president and CEO of Catholic Education Arizona and applying my MBA education from Pepperdine University, digital marketing expertise, and healthy culture values for a 60% growth in revenue and scholarship awards.”
Professional advice: “Earn your MBA from an accredited university and learn about leadership, strategy, finance, marketing, organizational behavior and operations.”
Surprising fact: “I contribute articles to Forbes on leadership and culture, so this fall I am publishing a leadership book called ‘How to Build a Healthy Culture with Trust, Respect and Avocados.’”
Celebratory dinner
The 2025 honorees will be celebrated at a special awards dinner on August 21, 2025, at Chateau Luxe in Phoenix. Sponsors of the Most Influential Women in Arizona reception and dinner include presenting sponsor Phillips Law Foundation, cover photo shoot sponsor Greenberg Traurig, VIP red carpet sponsor Vertex Education and Legacy Traditional Schools, dessert sponsor Silver Cain, beverage sponsor Arizona Escrow & Financial Corporation, 360 photo booth sponsor Clayco, digital sponsor Ganem Companies, fine jewelry sponsor Osborne Jewelers, and special gift sponsor Tarbell’s. Get tickets here.
